Volume 23, Issue 1 (5-2025)
RBS 2025, 23(1): 88-104 |
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Babaei Khorzoughi K, Amanelahi A, Abbaspour Z. Investigating The Lived Experience Of Parental Bereavement In Response To The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study. RBS 2025; 23 (1) :88-104
URL: http://rbs.mui.ac.ir/article-1-1878-en.html
URL: http://rbs.mui.ac.ir/article-1-1878-en.html
1- M.A. in Rehabilitation Counselling, Department of Counseling, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
2- Associate Professor, Department of Counseling, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran. ,a.amanelahi@scu.ac.ir
3- Associate Professor, Department of Counseling, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
2- Associate Professor, Department of Counseling, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran. ,
3- Associate Professor, Department of Counseling, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
Abstract: (1284 Views)
Aim and Background: Some individuals experience a form of mourning, akin to grief, in response to acute viruses such as the coronavirus, leading to unexpected and increased levels of trauma and stress. This study aimed to explore the lived experience of parental bereavement resulting from the coronavirus.
Methods and Materials: A descriptive phenomenology method was utilized to collect and analyze, data on parental grief responses to the coronavirus pandemic. Purposive sampling was used to select11 participants who had experienced parental bereavement due to COVID-19. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants until data saturation. For data analysis, the 4-step method of Giorgi includes: in parenthesis, Identifying Semantic Units, Changing Semantic Units into Psychological Terms and finally Determining the Overall Structure.
Findings: Data analysis led to the identification of 17 components, including shock and denial, confusion and disorientation, lack of physical contact with the deceased for the last time, pain limited funeral attendance in grieving ceremonies, concerns about judgments of others, constraints on physical contact and emotional expression, the experience of helplessness and homelessness, unexpected death and not having the opportunity to say goodbye, feeling frustrated, intense grief, regrets due to quarantine restrictions, burial challenges, fear of losing the surviving parent, blaming responsible organizations, abnormal awareness of death, finding solace by observing others with shared experiences, and an unwillingness to forget.
Conclusions: This study contributes to the existing literature on bereavement reactions triggered by acute viruses like the coronavirus. The identified structure of bereavement responses can inform the development and implementation of preventive and therapeutic programs.
Methods and Materials: A descriptive phenomenology method was utilized to collect and analyze, data on parental grief responses to the coronavirus pandemic. Purposive sampling was used to select11 participants who had experienced parental bereavement due to COVID-19. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants until data saturation. For data analysis, the 4-step method of Giorgi includes: in parenthesis, Identifying Semantic Units, Changing Semantic Units into Psychological Terms and finally Determining the Overall Structure.
Findings: Data analysis led to the identification of 17 components, including shock and denial, confusion and disorientation, lack of physical contact with the deceased for the last time, pain limited funeral attendance in grieving ceremonies, concerns about judgments of others, constraints on physical contact and emotional expression, the experience of helplessness and homelessness, unexpected death and not having the opportunity to say goodbye, feeling frustrated, intense grief, regrets due to quarantine restrictions, burial challenges, fear of losing the surviving parent, blaming responsible organizations, abnormal awareness of death, finding solace by observing others with shared experiences, and an unwillingness to forget.
Conclusions: This study contributes to the existing literature on bereavement reactions triggered by acute viruses like the coronavirus. The identified structure of bereavement responses can inform the development and implementation of preventive and therapeutic programs.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2024/12/30 | Accepted: 2025/04/11 | Published: 2026/03/1
Received: 2024/12/30 | Accepted: 2025/04/11 | Published: 2026/03/1
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